Next time you are madly inhaling that 7am takeaway coffee on the way to work you might want to stop and think, just for a moment about where the coffee cup and lid is going to end up.
Monica Mudge is pushing to start the Take Three campaign in Ulladulla to try and reduce the amount of rubbish that ends up in the ocean. She says takeaway coffee lids are one of the biggest problems she has noticed in the area.
Take three is a nation wide initiative encouraging people to keep beaches and waterways clean by picking up three pieces of rubbish when they visit a beach or waterway.
Monica discovered the Take Three campaign after a trip to the Eurobodalla Shire where she saw signs associated with the campaign encouraging people to pick up three pieces of rubbish in the signed area.
“I just thought it was a great message,” Monica said.
“It is not as simple as I first thought, but I have been in touch with council and they are supportive of the idea.
“My family has always had the view that rubbish should come home with us,” she said.
Monica will present submissions to the council on June 28 to try and get funding which will allow them to use the official Three for the Sea merchandise, signs and resources.
Signage that would be placed around the area if they are successful with their grant would encourage people to pick up rubbish while they are out and about.
“We are also looking to educate the community through schools and community events,” Monica said.
Tim Silverwood, co-founder and acting CEO of Take Three for the Sea said the the push for the campaign to be official in Ulladulla was gaining traction.
“Three for the Sea gets people involved,” Tim said.
“The campaign is about growing awareness of rubbish and polution,” he said.
Councillor Kitchener has praised efforts of the residents involved in the Take Three for the Sea program.
“The Shoalhaven is the number one tourist destination for day trips and overnight stays outside the Sydney metropolitan area,” said Cr Kitchener.
“Potential adverse impacts that illegal dumping and littering may have on the Shoalhaven, a region dependent on its beaches and waterways is very real,” he said.
For more information about Take Three, visit http://www.take3.org.au/ or search #take3.
